Interest reported in Infineum

CARLYLE GROUP and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts are among several private equity firms keen on British biofuel additives producer Infineum…

CARLYLE GROUP and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts are among several private equity firms keen on British biofuel additives producer Infineum, according to a weekend newspaper report.

Apollo Management, BC Partners, Cinven, and Vestar are the other firms planning to submit bids for Infineum, a firm valued at up to €2.5 billion which is owned by Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil, the Sunday Telegraphreported.

Both Shell and ExxonMobil are keen to secure offers of between €2-2.5 billion for Infineum, which had turnover of about $1.5 billion in 2006. Officials at Infineum could not immediately be reached for comment.

Infineum, which employs 1,600 people globally, is undergoing a strategic review initiated by its shareholders and handled by bankers at JP Morgan. - ( Reuters )